SMOKING AND PREGNANCY

We know that giving up smoking is very hard at the best of times and being pregnant can make it feel harder. We’re here to help if you’d like to quit smoking for you and for your baby.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What effect will smoking have on my baby?

Makes it harder for your baby to get oxygen and nourishment

It puts stress on the baby’s heart and affects the development of its lungs

Pregnant smokers have a greater risk of a difficult labour, miscarriage and a low weight baby

A low weight baby will be much more vulnerable to infection and other health problems like poor breathing and learning difficulties

What if i’ve cut down?

Cutting down is a great start but cutting down will not get rid of all harm for the baby. Even smoking 5 cigarettes a day can reduce the weight of your baby and cause other health problems.

Can I use patches or gum to help me quit?

There’s a small risk that nicotine can affect the development of the baby. But as nicotine is just one of 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, is safer for you and your baby than smoking. Talk to your doctor before trying any type of NRT.

I’m already three months pregnant. What’s the point of stopping now?

It is never too late to quit! Most of the baby’s growth happens later in pregnancy but the earlier you can quit, the better.

What about smoking and breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding will give your baby a good start in life but breastfeeding and smoking is not ideal. Women who smoke tend to produce less milk and babies of smokers are more prone to breathing problems. Remember, 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible and it lingers on clothes for hours.

I know giving up smoking will be stressful. Surely it will be better for my baby if i stay relaxed?

Smoking releases a drug in your brain that makes your body feel relaxed, but in reality it speeds up your heart rate and increases your blood pressure. When you quit smoking you go through withdrawal which feels a bit like stress, but this is only for a short time.

SMOKEFREE HOMES

What effect will smoking have on my baby?

It’s very important that babies and children have a smokefree environment to live in. If someone who lives in your home smokes it will increase the chances of cot death (sudden infant death syndrome). Babies are at a particular risk from second-hand smoke, as their lungs are smaller, still developing and they take lots more breaths. There are lots of other childhood illnesses that are connected with having parents who smoke, so if you can’t quit smoking, make sure that your home is smoke free.

Want to hear more? Check out this short documentary made by a group of students from the University of Glamorgan. It focuses on a midwife, Lois, and her work with pregnant women who smoke during their pregnancy